When it comes to national television exposure, The Meadowlands has had plenty during 2023, and this Friday night, Sept. 8, the TV departments at the New York Racing Association (NYRA) and The Big M will combine forces to show five of the six finals for the New Jersey Classic Series (NJCS) for two- and three-year-olds of each sex and gait live during a two-hour live presentation on Fox Sports 2 (FS2) beginning at 9 p.m.
Big M TV’s Jessica Otten will provide the harness racing analysis on the broadcast, which will also feature Thoroughbred action from Charles Town Races.
During the Friday card, all but the two-year-old colt and gelding pace will be seen on FS2. The six events have purses totalling $1.4 million. Then, on Saturday, Sept. 9, the final two New Jersey Classic Series finals will be contested, with a total of $300,000 up for grabs, bringing the total purses for the eight finals to $1.7 million.
If business from a week ago is an indicator of things to come, Friday should be a big night.
“One week ago, despite racing having been on a three-week hiatus after Hambletonian Day, total handle was just shy of $3 million, which represented a 71 per cent increase over the corresponding Friday from the year prior," said Jason Settlemoir, the track's Chief Operating Officer and General Manager. "Everything is trending in the right direction for the NJCS on Friday.
“We want to thank NYRA and Fox for their extraordinary efforts and talent, allowing The Meadowlands to show our sports’ greatest events on 'America’s Day at the Races.' It’s an honour to be a part of such a first-class broadcast.”
This weekend marks the end of the Big M’s four-card “Mini Meet.” Racing will take place Friday and Saturday with a first-race post time of 6:20 p.m. For a free Trackmaster program for Friday's card, click here.
Then, harness racing at The Meadowlands will take a five-week break before returning on Friday, Oct. 20. In addition to The Big M being back, the first two weekends will feature simulcasting of the Breeders Crown championships, which will be contested at Indiana’s Hoosier Park. Eliminations will be conducted on Oct. 20-21 with the finals on Oct. 27-28.
Beyond that, November will feature great championship racing at The Meadowlands with many divisional honours on the line.
The Kindergarten Series finals will be conducted on Nov. 4, with the New Jersey Home Grown Series being conducted one week later.
Shortly thereafter, the “Fall Four” championships – featuring the Goldsmith Maid, Valley Victory, Three Diamonds and Governor’s Cup for two-year-olds (with estimated purses of $850,000) – will take place on Nov. 25.
The very same night, three-year-olds and older horses will go at it for U.S. divisional honours – and maybe Horse of the Year – in four FanDuel championship events for estimated total purses of $1 million.
On Monday, Sept. 11, Big M will host a live broadcast of “The Michael Kay Show” from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Grandstand Lounge on the second floor. Kay and his crew can usually be heard on ESPN radio. There will be football-themed prizes and live guests onsite to preview the Jets-Bills Monday Night Football matchup. The broadcast is free to attend, with food and beverage available for purchase.
The Past Masters will be at The Meadowlands, playing a live show on the rooftop on Saturday, Sept. 16. Live music, live Thoroughbred racing, food and drink specials will all be part of a special night in the shadow of the New York City skyline. The show, which gets underway at 5:30 p.m., is free to attend.
(With files from The Meadowlands)